'I Lost My Motherhood': CNN Correspondent Rene Marsh Pays Tribute To Late 2-Year-Old Son After Brain Cancer Battle
CNN correspondent Rene Marsh's two-year-old son, Blake, has died on Wednesday, April 14, after battling pediatric brain cancer.
Marsh shared the heartbreaking news while paying tribute to her late son on social media the following day. She began her heart-rending post by describing how Blake impacted her life despite his short time on Earth.
"In your 25 months on earth you taught me how much strength I had stored up in reserve that I didn’t know I had. You taught me endurance. You taught me a depth of love I have never experienced," the grieving mother wrote on Thursday, April 15, alongside a series of adorable snaps of Blake.
Marsh shared that her little boy — who was diagnosed with brain cancer in December 2019 — "inspired" her "to keep going when [she] wanted to give up," adding that he "helped" her "prioritize what is truly important in this life."
While she wished she had more time with Blake, the television personality said she feels "grateful" for the 25 months she was granted with him, noting that her son "forever changed" her.
While recalling fond memories of Blake, Marsh gushed over his ability "to bring laughter and happiness into whatever room [he was] in" and his love of "cruising the neighborhood in [his] drop top electric car, with the music on as [he] tried so hard to snap [his] fingers."
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She reflected on his "party tricks," which included comically responding "no" to whatever Marsh asked and "hugging and kissing on demand," Marsh wrote before adding: "Your dance moves were top notch."
The reporter also mourned the loss of motherhood and the aspirations she had for her son.
"I didn’t just lose you Blakey, I lost all the dreams and hopes that a mom has for a son," she continued. "I lost my motherhood and I’m mourning it all."
Marsh shared that she will now make it her mission to fight against pediatric cancer for the rest of her life. However, she will not just fight to "spare other parents from this unbearable pain," but will "do it to forever honor you, Blake. Your life was not in vain my sweet angel."
She concluded: “Mommy loves you and I look forward to holding and kissing you when we meet again.”
Marsh and husband Kedric Payne welcomed Blake in March 2019. Marsh shared in an opinion piece for CNN, published on February 4, that she and Payne were told by doctors for six months that Blake's cancer was in remission; so, when the cancer returned and spread in November, the worried parents were "blindsided."
After Marsh shared the tragic news of her late son, she took to Twitter to thank all the health care workers who helped the family.
"Thank you to all the doctors and nurses at #JohnsHopkins who cared for and loved Blake over the past year and a half," she tweeted.
